tư tâm
Definition
- Noun:
- Selfishness; self-interest: A state of mind or character where one prioritizes one's own personal interests, benefits, or advantages above those of others. It denotes a lack of consideration for the welfare of others.
- Private thoughts or intentions (archaic/rare): In older or literary contexts, it can refer to one's personal, inner thoughts or private motives.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Hành động đó xuất phát từ tư tâm. (That action stems from selfishness.)
- Anh ta bị chỉ trích vì tư tâm quá lớn. (He was criticized for his excessive self-interest.)
- Đừng để tư tâm chi phối quyết định của mình. (Do not let selfishness govern your decision.)
Advanced Usage
- The term "tư tâm" is considered formal and is often used in written or serious discourse about ethics, morality, or character critique. It carries a negative connotation.
Variants and Related Words
- Vị kỷ (adj, n): Egoistical; egoism. A close synonym often used interchangeably with "tư tâm."
- Ích kỷ (adj, n): Selfish; selfishness. The most common modern equivalent for "selfishness."
Synonyms
- Selfishness: The quality of being concerned chiefly with one's own personal profit or pleasure.
- Egoism: An ethical theory that treats self-interest as the foundation of morality, or more generally, excessive concern for oneself.
- Self-interest: One's personal interest or advantage.
Related Idioms
- "Tư tâm tư lợi": A four-character idiom meaning "selfish and seeking personal gain," emphasizing actions driven purely by private benefit.
- Một kẻ chỉ biết tư tâm tư lợi. (A person who only knows selfishness and personal gain.)